Give Your Cutting Mats the Spa Treatment

Submitted by Liz M.

Linda G. shared a great “spa treatment” for our self-healing cutting mats at the November MPS Guild meeting. Thanks Linda!

The information came from “National Quilters Circle”. (https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/article/caring-for-your-self-healing-cutting-mat)  According to the resource, our mats need moisture to re-hydrate them as well as a soft scrub brush and mild soap to remove the embedded fibers and accumulated dust/oils.

1. Prepare a tub or large container in a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar per gallon of COOL water.
2. Add a few drops of mild dish soap per gallon of water.
3. Soak mat for 15-20 minutes.
4. Gently scrub with a soft brush to remove fibers and dirt.
5. Dry with a soft towel and lay flat out of the sun to finish drying.

Take a few minutes to try the spa treatment and enjoy your “new” mat!

Tips to ensure your mats last many years:

1. Store flat away from heat or direct sunlight.
2. Take care when traveling to avoid direct sunlight and excess heat while your mat is in the car.
3. Rotate/vary where you cut on your mat to decrease the deep cuts in one area.
4. If cutting batting, clean the fibers from the mat with an eraser.
5. Change your rotary cutter blade regularly.

If the spa treatment does not help your mat, try some of the following ideas I found in various blogs and websites to re-purpose your mat. Tin snips or kitchen shears will cut the mats.

1. Flip it over and use the back of the mat to cut. Measure with your rulers-you won’t miss the grid marks.
2. Reserve one mat for cutting fleece and batting.
3. Cut it up and use to stiffen the bottom of bags.
4. Puzzle mat-assemble puzzles on it and move if the table is needed.
5. Place a mat under your sewing machine or serger to decrease movement and vibration.
6. Cut up and use as pattern templates.
7. Shelf liner for wire shelves to prevent items from falling through.
8. Table protector for crafts or grandchildren’s projects.

I hope this information will give your 2020 sewing and quilting a fresh start!